João da Nova facts for kids

Quick facts for kids João da Nova
Born	1460 Maceda, Galicia
Died	July 16, 1509 (aged 48–49) Kochi, India
Nationality	Kingdom of Galicia and Kingdom of Portugal
Occupation	Explorer
Known for	Discoverer of Ascension and Saint Helena islands

João da Nova (born around 1460 in Maceda, Galicia; died July 16, 1509 in Kochi, India) was a brave explorer. He worked for Portugal and sailed across the Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean. Many people believe he discovered the islands of Ascension and Saint Helena.

An island in the Mozambique Channel, called Juan de Nova Island, is named after him. Also, the Farquhar atoll in the Seychelles was once known as the João da Nova islands. Some even think the Agaléga islands in the Indian Ocean might have been named after him, even though he probably never visited them.

João da Nova's Early Life

João da Nova was born into a noble family in Maceda, which was part of the Crown of Castile at the time. His family sent him to Portugal when he was young. This was to keep him safe from big fights between powerful families, known as the Irmandiño wars. In Portugal, people sometimes called him João Galego, which means "João the Galician". In 1496, the king of Portugal, Manuel I, made him the mayor of Lisbon.

First Journey to India

In March 1501, João da Nova set off on his first big adventure to India. He was in charge of a small fleet of four ships. On this journey, in May 1501, he is thought to have seen Ascension Island in the Atlantic Ocean. After sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, he is also said to have found Juan de Nova Island in the Mozambique Channel.

When he reached India, Nova set up a trading post in Cannanore. On December 31, 1501, his small fleet fought a battle against the fleet of the Zamorin of Calicut. This was the first time Portuguese ships fought a naval battle in the Indian Ocean. Some historians think Nova might have also visited Sri Lanka on this trip.

Discovering Saint Helena

Nova's ships left India in January 1502. On his way back, he is believed to have discovered the island of Saint Helena on May 21, 1502. This day is a special day for Saint Helena of Constantinople.

However, there's a bit of a puzzle about the exact date. Some people think the island was found on May 3, 1502. This date is also a Catholic holiday celebrating Saint Helena. If he found it on May 3, he might not have named it "Island of the True Cross" because another explorer, Pedro Álvares Cabral, had already used that name for the coast of Brazil in 1500. So, "Santa Helena" would have been a good choice.

Second Journey to India

Sailing with Francisco de Almeida

On March 5, 1505, João da Nova went on another journey to India. He was the captain of a ship called the Flor de la Mar. He was part of a large fleet led by Francisco de Almeida, who became the first Portuguese leader in India. Nova helped capture a city called Kilwa in East Africa. The fleet then attacked Mombassa.

After crossing the Indian Ocean, the fleet built forts and attacked ports. They finally arrived in Cochin in October. Almeida became the new leader there. Nova wanted to be in charge of the ships patrolling the Indian coast. But Almeida said Nova's ship, the Flor de la Mar, was too big for the small rivers and bays. Almeida offered Nova a smaller ship, but Nova decided to take his big ship back to Lisbon. Almeida then made his own son, Lourenço de Almeida, the captain of the patrol.

Ship Troubles and New Adventures

Nova left India in February 1506. His ship, the Flor de la Mar, was full of cargo and started leaking near Zanzibar. He had to stop for repairs in the Mozambique Channel islands. He spent eight months there fixing the ship, also dealing with illness and bad winds.

In February 1507, another fleet arrived, led by Tristão da Cunha. Cunha helped Nova finish the repairs. He moved Nova's cargo to another ship going to Lisbon. Nova and his ship then joined Cunha's fleet heading to India.

João da Nova helped the Portuguese capture Socotra in August 1507. He was then told to stay in Socotra with a group of six ships led by Afonso de Albuquerque. This group was meant to patrol the Red Sea.

Disagreements with Albuquerque

Nova was not happy about staying in the Red Sea. He told the other captains exciting stories about the riches of India, which made them want to go there instead of patrolling the dry Arabian coast. In August and September 1507, Albuquerque led his ships to attack cities along the coast, like Qalhat, Qurayyat, and Muscat. The captains, who dreamed of quick riches, were tired of these difficult fights.

After Muscat, João da Nova asked Albuquerque if he could leave the patrol and go to India. He said he needed to ask for more soldiers from the leader Almeida. When Albuquerque said no, Nova protested and was arrested. He was later set free because his help was needed for the Battle of Hormuz in October 1507.

Final Years and Legacy

Soon after the battle, Nova was again involved in arguments, this time about building a fort in Hormuz. In early 1508, three ships secretly left Albuquerque's group and sailed to India. They wanted to complain about Albuquerque to the leader Almeida in Cochin. João da Nova didn't go with them, but Albuquerque let him leave too, hoping Nova would speak well of him. But Nova didn't. Once in Cochin, João da Nova joined the other captains in making a formal case against Albuquerque.

João da Nova fought in the Battle of Diu in February 1509. His ship, the Flor de la Mar, was used by Almeida as the main ship for the Portuguese fleet. In March of that year, Afonso de Albuquerque arrived in Cochin and said he was the new governor of India. But João da Nova and the other captains signed a paper saying Almeida should not give up his power. They said Albuquerque was not fit to govern. In May, Almeida held a meeting in Cochin to discuss Albuquerque. Nova and the other captains spoke against him.

João da Nova died shortly after, in July 1509. This was just a few weeks before Almeida ordered Albuquerque's arrest. Even with all their disagreements, Albuquerque is said to have paid for Nova's funeral. He did this to remember Nova's good work in the Hormuz campaign.

See also

In Spanish: João da Nova para niños